The EU Common Fisheries Policy
The revised Common Fisheries Policy’s sets out a framework that, if implemented properly, could lead to sustainable fishing and a healthy marine environment.
But scientific research shows a constant decline in the fish stocks, due to the overexploitation of the sea resources. This is the result of a disastrous process of year on year negotiations within the EU for Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and quotas, generally based on short term political opportunism which undermines sustainability and makes it impossible for fishermen to properly plan their fishing activities.
The adoption of multi-annual management plans can be one of the solutions to ensure that fishing capacities are compatible with the reproduction pace of the species. These plans should include initiatives to minimise catches of non-targeted species, as well as the impact of fishing activities on marine habitats.
For depleted fish stocks, recovery plans are needed to end overfishing and allow the stocks to recover. These include no-take zones to preserve important breeding grounds, but also technical improvements to cut down wasteful fishing methods and intensive monitoring from independent observers.
After the campaign “Stop overfishing or fishing will be over”, carried out in 2002 across Europe, WWF works to ensure proper implementation of the reformed Common Fisheries Policy.
But scientific research shows a constant decline in the fish stocks, due to the overexploitation of the sea resources. This is the result of a disastrous process of year on year negotiations within the EU for Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and quotas, generally based on short term political opportunism which undermines sustainability and makes it impossible for fishermen to properly plan their fishing activities.
The adoption of multi-annual management plans can be one of the solutions to ensure that fishing capacities are compatible with the reproduction pace of the species. These plans should include initiatives to minimise catches of non-targeted species, as well as the impact of fishing activities on marine habitats.
For depleted fish stocks, recovery plans are needed to end overfishing and allow the stocks to recover. These include no-take zones to preserve important breeding grounds, but also technical improvements to cut down wasteful fishing methods and intensive monitoring from independent observers.
After the campaign “Stop overfishing or fishing will be over”, carried out in 2002 across Europe, WWF works to ensure proper implementation of the reformed Common Fisheries Policy.
